Real time integrity monitoring of on-shore pipes

ABSTRACT

A method includes providing a length of pipeline that has a housing defining a central bore extending the length of the pipe and a space formed within the housing and extending the length of the pipe. At least one condition within the space is continuously monitored within the space to detect in real time if a change in the housing occurs.

BACKGROUND

Pipelines used for recovery and transport of fluid or gas generallyinclude many pipe segments joined together in an end-to-endconfiguration to extend a distance of transport. For example, pipesegments may be joined together to extend up to tens or hundreds orthousands of miles.

Pipelines in the oil and gas industry may be used to transport recoveredhydrocarbons, such as crude oil, natural gas, produced water, fracturingfluid, flowback fluid, or other types of gas such as CO₂, which may bepumped through the pipeline at a selected flow rate. During transport ofcrude oil, dissolved waxes found in crude oil can precipitate and buildup when subjected to temperatures below or equal to a temperaturereferred to as the “wax appearance temperature” (WAT) or the “cloudpoint.” The cloud point is specific to each crude composition, and is afunction of wax concentration, the concentration of nucleating agentssuch as asphaltenes and formation fines, and pressure. When enough waxhas built up in the pipe, flow of the oil may be restricted, thusreducing efficiency and production. Offshore pipelines are commonlyexposed to colder temperatures, and thus, techniques, such as pipeinsulation, are implemented to inhibit buildup of wax found in the crudeoil. To monitor integrity of the offshore pipelines and clean depositsthat have built up within the pipelines, devices know as “pigs” areoften sent through the pipelines. For example, some pigs may be used todetect damage to the pipeline, such as dents, corrosion, or cracking.

Onshore pipelines may also be inspected for mechanical damage usingpigs. However, as onshore pipelines run above ground and more commonlyare buried a few feet below the ground, pipe integrity may also bemonitored by walking along the path of the pipe or tubular conduit withvarious sensing equipment, such as acoustic emission tools, to detectany failure.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method thatincludes providing a length of pipeline, the pipeline having a spaceformed within the thickness of the pipeline housing and extending thelength of the pipeline, and continuously monitoring at least onecondition within the space to detect in real time if a change in thehousing occurs.

In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method thatincludes providing a length of pipeline, the pipeline having a signaltransmitting material disposed within the thickness of the pipelinehousing, and continuously receiving a signal from the signaltransmitting material to detect a condition of the housing.

In yet another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a methodthat includes continuously monitoring temperature along a length of apipeline, the pipeline having an electrically conducting materialdisposed within the thickness of the pipeline housing, and applying acurrent to the electrically conducting material to heat the electricallyconducting material when a preselected temperature is detected.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a portion of a pipeline according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a system according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a pipe segment and pipe joint according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments disclosed herein may relate generally to methods formonitoring pipelines in real time. Pipelines may run onshore and/orthrough shallow water and extend long distances, such as tens, hundredsor thousands of miles, either aboveground or buried a few feetunderground (e.g., ranging from about 3 feet to about 6 feet). Bodies ofshallow water may include, for example, rivers, lakes or other bodies ofwater having depths ranging up to 50 meters, up to 100 meters, or up to150 meters. In yet other embodiments, pipelines may run offshore, forexample through depths of greater than 150 meters, such as greater than500 meters or greater than 1,000 meters.

Methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure may includeproviding a length of pipe that may be used for transporting fluids orgas. The pipe may include a housing defining a central bore extendingthe length of the pipe, through which transported fluids may be pumped.The housing may further have a continuous conduit formed between thethickness of the housing and extending the length of the pipe. Asreferred to herein, conduits formed or disposed “between” or “within”the thickness of a housing are conduits that are not exposed to theinner or outermost surface of the housing, but rather, are covered orbeneath the inner and outermost surfaces of the housing. Further, thepipe may include many pipe segments that are connected together withpipe joints, where the pipe segments and pipe joints are alternatinglyconnected in an end-to-end configuration.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a pipeline according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The pipeline 100 includes pipe segments 110 and pipejoints 120 alternatingly connected together in an end-to-endconfiguration. The housings of the connected together pipe segments 110and pipe joints 120 define a central bore 105 extending longitudinallythrough the length of the pipeline 100, through which fluid and/or gasmay flow. The housing 112 of the pipe segments 110 include an innerlayer 114 having an inner surface 115 defining the central bore 105. Thepipe segment housing 112 further includes an outer shield 116 layer. Theouter shield 116 may provide protection from contaminants and damagefrom environmental elements. The housing thickness is measured betweenthe inner surface 115 and the outermost surface of the housing.

One or more conduits may be formed between the inner layer 114 and theouter shield 116. The conduits formed between the inner layer 114 andouter shield 116 may extend continuously through the length of the pipesegment 110 from one end to the outer end. For example, as shown in FIG.1, the conduit may be a space 130, which may have, for example, air orother gas flowed there through or held therein. In some embodiments, theconduit may be made of a physical material that is capable of flowingdata, light, sound, current, or other signal, for example.

The spaces 130 formed between the inner layer 114 and outer shield 116may be formed by one or more intermediate layers 118 disposed betweenthe inner layer 114 and outer shield 116. For example, as shown in FIG.1, the intermediate layer 118 may have two longitudinally extendingtroughs, which form the spaces 130 when disposed between the inner layer114 and the outer shield 116. In some embodiments, more than oneintermediate layer may be disposed between an inner layer and an outershield, where the intermediate layers may individually or together formone or more spaces. For example, two or more intermediate layerspartially corresponding in shape may be concentrically disposed betweenan inner layer and outer shield, where portions of non-correspondingshape may form spaces between the intermediate layers. Further, in someembodiments, intermediate layers may be provided by one or more layersof wound strip helically disposed between the inner layer and outershield of a housing, where spaces may be formed between the woundstrips.

Intermediate layers may have a substantially flat cross section, or mayhave predetermined cross sectional shapes that are not flat, e.g.,rounded, rough, raised, or other non-planar shapes. In embodimentshaving intermediate layers with a cross sectional shape that is notflat, non-planar portions of the intermediate layers may be used to formspaces extending the length of the pipe segment. Intermediate layers,including intermediate layers formed of one or more strips, may or maynot interlock to some extent.

Pipe segments may be joined in an end-to-end configuration using pipejoint, where conduits formed through the pipe segment housing may befluidly connected via conduits formed through the pipe joint. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, the pipe joint 120 may have a pipe jointhousing 122 having a first annular space 131 at a first end of the pipejoint and a second annular space 132 at a second end of the pipe joint,and one or more spaces 133 longitudinally extending from the firstannular space 131 to the second annular space 132. Each of the pipesegments 110 may be connected to the ends of the pipe joint 120 suchthat the openings of spaces 130 in each pipe segment 110 open to theannular spaces 131, 132, thereby contiguously communicating the spaces130 in each pipe segment 110. In some embodiments, a pipe joint may havespaces extending longitudinally through the pipe joint housing, wherethe openings of the pipe joint spaces may align with openings ofadjacent pipe segment spaces, thereby forming a contiguous andcontinuously extending space through the entire length of the pipeline.Other means of fluidly communicating pipe segment spaces through one ormore spaces formed in a pipe joint housing may be used to provide acontinuous spatial conduit through the entire length of the pipeline.

Further, although pipe segment spaces 130 and pipe joint spaces 133 areshown as extending linearly along the length of the housings 112, 122,other continuously extending spatial paths may be formed through thehousings of the pipe segments and pipe joints. For example, in someembodiments, strips of material forming a first intermediate layer maybe helically wrapped around an inner layer such that relatively smallgaps or spaces (e.g., 5-10% of the width of the strip) are formedbetween adjacent strips. One or more additional intermediate layers maybe disposed around the first intermediate layer (overlapping the firstintermediate layer), such that the gaps formed between adjacent stripsmay be partially enclosed to form one or more spaces opening at bothends of the pipe segment. In such embodiments, the formed spaces mayextend along the length of the housing in a helical path. In someembodiments, different shapes of spaces may be contiguous to each other,forming an irregular-shaped but continuous conduit through the entirelength of a pipeline.

Pipe segments may be connected together via pipe joints in an end-to-endconfiguration, for example, by interlocking end shapes (between an endof a pipe joint and an end of a pipe segment), interference fitting,bolting, gluing, welding, by fastening jackets or sleeves aroundabutting ends, as well as other fastening techniques.

FIG. 1 shows a pipeline 100 having two pipe segments joined together inan end-to-end configuration via pipe joint 120. However, it will beunderstood that a pipeline may be formed by two or more pipe segmentseach joined to one or two adjacent portions of pipe by a respectiveconnection. The pipe segments may be rigid or flexible.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more layersof a pipe segment may be formed of a flexible material. For example, asshown in FIG. 1, the inner layer 114 and outer shield 116 may be formedof a flexible material that is extruded into a tubular shape. Pipesegments having one or more layers formed of a flexible material may bereferred to as flexible pipes. Flexible pipes may have an inner layerdefining a central bore or flow through that is extruded from a flexiblematerial. One or more intermediate layers (e.g., strips, tapes, wrappedlayers) may be applied around the inner extruded layer such that atleast one conduit extends the length of the pipe. An outer layer of aflexible material may then be extruded over the intermediate layers toform an outer shield. In some embodiments, more than one flexiblematerial may be extruded around the inner layer and/or outer shield.Flexible material may include, for example, polymers and fiber embeddedpolymers, such as steel, aluminum, beryllium, or copper alloy fibersembedded within a polymer. Suitable polymers may include, for example,olefin polymers blended with at least one thermoset elastomer, orpolyolefins.

Intermediate layers may be formed of, for example, steel, carbon steel,or other metal composite layers, a plurality of relatively narrow stripsof material disposed in a side-by-side relation; a high strength tapewith oriented polymer chains; tapes reinforced with fibers, compositesof strength-adding polymers, or strips of other metals; polymers, suchas polyethylene or polypropylene, reinforced with metallic fibers; orother tapes containing metal reinforcements, including steel, aluminum,or copper alloys. Intermediate layers may be formed of a strongermaterial than the material forming an inner layer, for example, toprovide pressure reinforcement to prevent bursting of the inner layerand to prevent collapse of the pipe from external pressures.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, methods ofmonitoring a pipeline may include monitoring a conduit formed within thehousing of the pipeline and extending the length of the pipeline. Forexample, a length of pipeline may be provided, the pipeline having ahousing defining a central bore extending the length of the pipeline,and a space formed within the housing and extending the length of thepipeline. The pipeline may be formed of a plurality of pipe segmentsconnected together by pipe joints in an end-to-end configuration, wherethe pipe segment housings and pipe joint housings together form thehousing of the pipeline having the space continuously extending therethrough.

At least one condition within the space of the pipeline housing may becontinuously monitored to detect in real time if a change in the housingoccurs. For example, in some embodiments, the pressure within a spaceextending through a pipeline housing may be continuously monitored. Thespace may include a plurality of pressure transducers disposed withinthe space along the length of the space. Pressure transducers mayinclude, for example, thin-film type pressure transducers, piezoelectricpressure transducers, or any other pressure sensing element capable ofgenerating a signal as a function pressure sensed. The pressuretransducers may continuously monitor the pressure within the space andsend signals to a user, storage device, alert system, or other endcomponent relaying the pressure detected. Changes in pressure within thespace may indicate in real time, for example, a breach in the housing ora change in the environment surrounding the pipeline housing which maydamage the housing.

In some embodiments, a space extending the length of the pipeline may beprecharged to have a preset pressure. For example, the space may befilled with a predetermined amount of inert gas, such as nitrogen.Pressure transducers may be disposed within the space to monitor thepressure within the space. Detection of a drop in pressure may indicatein real time that damage to the housing has occurred.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a system 200 for continuously monitoringpressure within a space 210 extending the entire length of a pipeline220. The pipeline 220 may be an onshore pipeline, which may extend adistance across land (e.g., in a direction substantially parallel withthe surface of the land), partially or completely buried a shallow depth230 underground, and/or may extend through shallow water. For example,in some embodiments, a majority (e.g., greater than 50%, greater than75% or greater than 90%) of the length of a pipeline may be buriedunderground a depth ranging from, for example, less than 10 ft, lessthan 7 ft, or less than 5 ft. The pipeline 220 may have a housing 240defining a central bore 245, through which fluid or gas may flow or bestored, where at least one enclosed space 210 may be formed within thethickness of the housing 240 and fluidly or continuously extend theentire length of the pipeline 220. At least one pressure transducer 260may be disposed within the space 210 or along the length of the pipeline220. The pressure transducer(s) 260 may detect the pressure within thespace 210 and generate a signal indicating the pressure. The pressuresignal 265 may be sent wirelessly or through an additional conduitdisposed within the thickness of the pipeline housing that is capable oftransmitting data or signals (discussed more below). The pressure signalmay be transmitted to a receiver. The receiver may be part of acomputing device 270 or may be a storage device accessible to acomputing device.

For example, a computing device 270 may include a computer processor andmemory having instructions (e.g., one or more software programs)executing on the computer processor with functionality to receivepressure signals transmitted from the pressure transducers. Thecomputing device may process received signals continuously and maydisplay results on a graphical user interface 275, such as a screen, invarious formats, such as a graph, chart, etc. Further, in someembodiments, a computing device 270 may have an alert program, which maygenerate an alert when a preselected pressure condition is detected. Forexample, if a change in pressure over a predetermined amount is detected(e.g., a 5% change, a 10% change, a 15% change), an alert may begenerated.

In some embodiments, a gas having a predetermined composition may bedisposed within a space formed through a pipeline housing, where the gascomposition may be continuously monitored. In some embodiments, the gascomposition may be continuously monitored by continuously flowing a gashaving the predetermined composition through the space. The gas may beflowed through the space, for example, by pumping the gas into the spaceand venting the gas through at least one venting port formed in thehousing. Gas composition may be tested after the gas exits at least oneventing port formed in the housing. In some embodiments, gas compositionmay be continuously monitored by extracting a gas from at least oneventing port formed in the pipeline housing at an interval and testingthe gas composition of the gas after extraction. For example, gas may beextracted from a space formed within a pipeline housing twice a day,once a day, twice a week, once a week, or other selected interval, andtested to determine if the tested composition has changed from thepredetermined composition. A change in gas composition may indicate, forexample, that corrosion or a breach in the pipeline housing hasoccurred.

The temperature within a space formed through the entire length of apipeline may be continuously monitored, alone or in combination withmonitoring other conditions of the space. For example, temperature andpressure may be continuously monitored through one or more conduitsformed between the thickness of a pipeline housing, where temperaturemeasurements may be compared with the pressure measurements, forexample, to determine if a measured pressure change is from a change intemperature from the external environment. Temperature within a conduit(e.g., a space) formed through a pipeline housing may be continuouslymonitored with one or more temperature sensors. Suitable temperaturesensors may include, for example, thermistors, thermocouples, or othersensors capable of producing an electrical signal in response to achange in temperature. Signals indicating temperature measurements maybe transmitted, for example, wirelessly or through a conduit disposedwithin the thickness of the pipeline housing that is capable oftransmitting signals.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, methods ofmonitoring a pipeline, in real time, may include providing a length ofpipeline that has a housing defining a central bore extending the lengthof the pipeline and at least one conduit formed within the thickness ofthe housing and extending the entire length of the pipeline. The conduitmay be a signal transmitting material or other physical material that iscapable of flowing data, light, sound or current disposed between atleast two layers forming the inner surface and outer surface of thepipeline housing. For example, a conduit of signal transmitting materialmay be disposed between an inner layer and an outer shield of a flexiblepipe. One or more conditions within the thickness of the pipelinehousing may be measured and continuously monitored. For example, asignal transmitting material forming one or more conduits through thethickness of a pipeline housing may continuously detect a condition ofthe housing and generate signals representing the condition. The signalsmay be transmitted through the signal transmitting material to monitorin real time the condition of the housing.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a conduit formed ofa signal transmitting material (disposed between the thickness of thehousing and extending the entire length of the pipeline) may include anelectrically conducting material. The electrically conducting materialmay be used to transmit signals from one or more sensors, such asdisclosed herein. In some embodiments, the electrically conductingmaterial may be both a sensor and a transmitter, where an electricalcurrent may be applied through the electrically conducting material andchanges in one or more conditions of the pipeline housing may bedetected by a voltage drop through the electrically conducting material.For example, a breach in the housing or corrosion in the housing mayalter the environment in which the electrically conducting material isdisposed, which may alter the flow of the current being applied thereto.In some embodiments, a signal transmitted by an electrically conductingmaterial may include a voltage drop occurring across the electricallyconducting material from a change in the housing, such as a breach ordent in the housing. The resistivity through the electrically conductingmaterial may be used to back-calculate a location of the changeresulting in the measured voltage drop.

Electrically conducting material may be provided in the form of stripsthat are applied in at least one intermediate layer (disposed between aninner surface defining the pipe's central bore and the outer surface ofthe pipe). One or more strips of electrically conducting material may beprovided, for example, linearly along the length of the pipe or at anangle with respect to the pipe's length such that the strip(s) extendhelically along the length of the pipe. Strips of electricallyconducting material may have a width ranging, for example, less than 50%of the outer circumference of the pipe, less than 20% of the outercircumference of the pipe, less than 10% of the outer circumference ofthe pipe, or less than 5% of the outer circumference of the pipe. Insome embodiments, electrically conducting material may be in the form ofone or more wires. Wires may have a diameter ranging, for example, lessthan 15% of the housing thickness (measured from the pipe's innersurface to the outer surface), less than 10% of the housing thickness,or less than 5% of the housing thickness.

For example, electrically conducting material may be provided in theform of at least two wires as a signal transmitting conduit through apipeline housing. A voltage may be applied to a first wire of the atleast two wires, and the voltage along a second wire (spaced apart fromthe first wire) may be measured to detect resistivity between the firstand second wires. Such a configuration of wire pairs disposed betweenthe thickness of the pipeline housing may be used, for example, todetect moisture within the pipeline housing, where an increase inmoisture may indicate a breach in the housing. In such embodiments,moisture collected between the spaced apart wires may provide a path forcurrent to flow (lower the resistivity between the spaced apart wires),and when voltage is applied to the first wire, the measured voltage fromthe second spaced apart wire may indicate the resistivity between thetwo wires. Two spaced apart wires may be provided within a pipelinehousing (as a conduit disposed between an inner layer and an outer ofthe pipe housing) or more than two spaced apart wires may be provided.In some embodiments, multiple pairs of wires may be provided in a meshconfiguration (e.g., as a Faraday mesh) to detect moisture across alarge areas (e.g., up to the entire circumference and extending up tothe entire length) within the thickness of the pipeline housing.

In some embodiments, signal transmitting material may be provided in theform of a mesh outside of the thickness of the pipe housing, forexample, around the outer shield of a pipe. An insulating tape or layerof insulating material may then be applied over the outer mesh toinsulate the outer mesh line of communication.

Embodiments having an electrically conducting material extend along thelength of pipe segments and within the thickness of the pipe housing mayinclude pipe joints capable of connecting the pipe segments together andtransmitting signals carried through the electrically conductingmaterial between adjacent pipe segments. A pipe joint may be configuredto connect electrically conducting material extending through adjacentpipe segments by having an electrically conducting material extendbetween two openings formed at opposite axial ends of the pipe joint,where axial ends of the adjacent pipe segments are inserted into theopenings of the pipe joint and electrically conducting material exposedat the axial ends of the pipe segments are contacted to electricallyconducting material in the pipe joint. Electrically conducting materialin the pipe segments and pipe joints may be insulated from the outerenvironment in which the pipeline is installed.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a pipe joint and pipe segment havingelectrically conducting material therein configured to connect together.The lengths of the pipe segment 310 and pipe joint 320 are not shown toscale. Further, the pipe joint 320 is shown as being partiallytransparent to show interior portions and elements disposed therein.

The pipe segment 310 has a housing 312 defining a central bore 305,where the housing 312 includes an inner layer 314, an outer layer 316,and at least one intermediate layer 318 disposed between the inner andouter layers 314, 316. The intermediate layer 318 may include at leastone layer, strip or wire made of electrically conducting materialextending the length of the pipe segment and exposed at each axial endof the pipe segment 310. Electrically conducting material disposedbetween the thickness of the pipe segment 310 may be insulated from theenvironment in which the pipeline is disposed, for example, by formingthe outer and inner layers 314, 316 with electrically insulatingmaterial or by providing an electrically insulating material around allsurfaces of the electrically conducting material except the portionsexposed at the axial ends for connection to other electricallyconducting material. For example, an insulating material may be coatedor layered around electrically conducting layer(s), strip(s) or wire(s),where all portions of the electrically conducting layer(s), strip(s) orwire(s) except those exposed at the axial ends of pipe segment arecovered by the electrically insulating material. By exposing theelectrically conducting material to the axial end of the pipe segment310, the electrically conducting material may be contacted to anelectrically conducting material disposed through pipe joint 320.

As shown, pipe joint 320 includes a pipe joint housing 322 having afirst annular space 331 at a first axial end of the pipe joint and asecond annular space 332 at a second axial end of the pipe joint, whereaxial ends of pipe segments may be inserted into the first and secondannular spaces 331, 332 of the pipe joint to connect the pipe segmentstogether. An axial end of pipe segment 310 may be inserted into thefirst or second annular space 331, 332 and secured therein, for example,by interference fitting between the axial end of the pipe segment 310and the annular space within the pipe joint 320. In some embodiments, anaxial end of the pipe segment 310 may be inserted into a first or secondannular space 331, 332 formed in the pipe joint 320, and the outersurface around the annular space may be compressed radially inward tosecure the inserted axial end of the pipe segment. An interior portion324 of the pipe joint 320 (disposed between the first and second annularspaces 331, 332) may have a thickness less than (as shown), greaterthan, or equal to the thickness measured between the inner surface andouter surface along the first and second annular spaces 331, 332.

An electrically conducting material 333 (e.g., in the form of a layer,strip or wire) may be disposed within the thickness of the pipe joint320, between the outermost surface of the pipe joint and the innersurface of the pipe joint defining a central bore 305 extending therethrough. The pipe joint electrically conducting material 333 may beelectrically insulated from the environment in which the pipe joint isdisposed, for example, by forming the outermost surface and innersurface with electrically insulating material or by coating theelectrically conducting material 333 with electrically insulatingmaterial, such that end portions of the electrically conducting,material 333 remain uncoated for electrical communication with theelectrically conducting material in the adjacent pipe segments. In someembodiments, an electrically conducting ring 335 may be disposed at thebase of each annular space 331, 332, where the electrically conductingmaterial 333 extends from a first electrically conducting ring 335 inthe first annular space 331 to a second electrically conducting ring 335in the second annular space 332. The electrically conducting material 33may contact and transfer electrical signals between the first and secondconducting rings 335, while also being electrically insulated betweenthe pipe joint thickness. When axial ends of pipe segments are insertedinto the annular spaces 331, 332, the electrically conducting materialexposed at the axial ends of the pipe segments may contact and transferelectrical signals to the electrically conducting ring 335. In such amanner, connected together pipe segments and pipe joints havingelectrically conducting material extending there through may haveelectrical signals transferred through a first electrically conductingmaterial in a first pipe segment connected to a pipe joint, through afirst electrically conducting ring in the pipe joint, through pipe jointelectrically conducting material, through a second electricallyconducting ring in the pipe joint, through a second electricallyconducting material in a second pipe segment connected to the pipejoint, and so forth, until the signal is transferred the length of thepipeline.

By providing the electrically conducting rings, between electricallyconducting material extending through adjacent pipe segments and pipejoints, pipe joint electrically conducting material does not need to bealigned with pipe segment electrically conducting material. However,according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, electricallyconducting material in pipe segments may be aligned with electricallyconducting material in a pipe joint (without the use of an electricallyconducting ring). Further, in some embodiments, electrically conductingmaterial may be provided in shapes other than rings to electricallyconduct pipe joint electrically conducting material with pipe segmentelectrically conducting material. For example, one or more clips (e.g.,T-shaped clips) may extend between the connection of a pipe segment to apipe joint to electrically connect the pipe joint electricallyconducting material with the pipe segment electrically conductingmaterial. In some embodiments, a clip or other connecting componentformed of electrically conducting material may be inserted into an axialend of a pipe segment and contact electrically conducting materialdisposed within the pipe segment, where an exposed portion of theconnecting component may contact pipe joint electrically conductingmaterial when the axial end of the pipe segment secured to the pipejoint.

Further, in some embodiments, a pipe joint may be partially or entirelyformed of electrically conducting material, where electricallyconducting material exposed at an axial end of a pipe segment maycontact the pipe joint electrically conducting material upon securingthe pipe segment to the pipe joint. An electrically insulating materialmay be disposed around the pipe joint, e.g., by wrapping the pipe jointwith an electrically insulating tape or spray coating with anelectrically insulating material, to electrically insulate the signalsbeing transmitted through the electrically conducting material.

Other configurations of connecting electrically conducting materialthrough pipe segments and pipe joints may be used, where electricallyconducting material extending through the lengths of the pipe segmentsand through connecting portions in pipe joints may be electricallyinsulated from the environment in which the pipe is disposed. Forexample, the outer surface and/or the inner surface of pipeline housingmay having electrically insulating material applied thereto, forexample, with electrically insulating tape or by spray coating theelectrically insulating material thereto.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, methods ofmonitoring a pipeline may include altering at least one condition of thepipeline in response to the monitoring. For example, in someembodiments, temperature along a length of a pipe may be continuouslymonitored, where the pipeline has a housing defining a central boreextending the length of the pipeline, and the housing has anelectrically conducting material disposed between two layers: an innerlayer forming an inner surface of the housing and an outer layer formingan outer surface of the housing. A preselected temperature ortemperature range may be selected, for example, depending on theenvironment in which the pipeline is disposed and/or the fluid or gasbeing disposed within the pipeline. In some embodiments, the preselectedtemperature may be a minimum temperature for maintaining one or moreconditions of the fluid or gas being disposed within the pipeline. Whenthe preselected temperature is detected, a current may be applied to theelectrically conducting material to heat the electrically conductingmaterial.

For example, in some embodiments monitoring a pipeline carrying crudeoil, a preselected temperature may be a wax appearance temperature, or“cloud point,” of the crude oil. The temperature may be continuouslymonitored through one or more electrically conducting conduits disposedwithin the thickness of the pipeline housing and extending the entirelength of the pipeline. When a temperature less than or equal to thecloud point is detected, a current may be applied to the electricallyconducting material and shorted to heat the region in which thepreselected temperature was detected. By heating the region of thepipeline in which temperatures less than or equal to the cloud point aredetected, wax nucleation and build up may be prevented or inhibited inthe crude oil. Such embodiments may be used when a pipeline carryingcrude oil extends through a colder environment, such as across land innorthern regions of North America, Asia or Europe or in southern regionsof South America.

The temperature of an electrically conducting material disposed withinthe thickness of a housing may be continuously monitored, for example,temperature sensors, or other sensing types disclosed herein.

By providing a pipeline having a continuous conduit pathway through theentire length of the pipeline, and monitoring the conduit, one or moreconditions of the pipeline housing may be continuously monitored, andchanges in the one or more conditions may be detected in real time. Forexample, rather than periodically sending a sensing device along apipeline to measure one or more conditions of the pipeline, the conduitextending through pipelines of the present disclosure may becontinuously monitored without affecting operations of the pipeline.

Further, rather detecting one or more problems with a pipeline (such asby observing changes in flow through the pipeline's central bore) andthen sending one or more device along the pipeline to detect where theproblem originates, methods disclosed herein may allow for detection ofa problem initiation, in real time, and, in some embodiments, indicationof where the problem initiation occurs. For example, continuousmonitoring methods disclosed herein may allow for the early stagedetection of corrosion initiation, dents or cracks in the housing, orother problem initiations (e.g., through early stage detection of achange in gas composition, changes in current flow through the conduit,or other monitoring techniques disclosed herein) before complete failurein the pipeline housing occurs (e.g., a breach in the housing resultingin leakage), thereby providing the opportunity to repair or replacesections of the pipeline before the section of the pipeline fails.

Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the example embodiments without materiallydeparting from the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thisdisclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims,means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structuresdescribed herein as performing the recited function and not onlystructural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although anail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nailemploys a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas ascrew employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening woodenparts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. It is theexpress intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) forany limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in whichthe claim expressly uses the words “means for” together with anassociated function.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: providing a length of pipe,the pipe comprising: a housing, wherein the housing includes an innerlayer having an inner surface defining a central bore extending thelength of the pipe, an outer layer having an outer surface, and one ormore intermediate layers disposed between the inner layer and the outerlayer, and a conduit formed within a section of the one or moreintermediate layers and extending the length of the pipe; andcontinuously monitoring at least one condition within the conduit todetect in real time if a change in the housing occurs, wherein thecontinuous monitoring is performed using a plurality of sensors disposedalong the length of the conduit.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theconduit comprises a predetermined amount of gas, and the at least onecondition being continuously monitored comprises pressure.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein a plurality of pressure transducers continuouslymonitor the pressure of the conduit.
 4. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising monitoring temperature along the pipe and comparing thepressure to the temperature to determine if a pressure change is from atemperature change.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein a gas compositionwithin the conduit is continuously monitored.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the gas composition is continuously monitored by continuouslyflowing a gas through the conduit and testing the gas after the gasexits at least one venting port formed in the housing.
 7. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the gas composition is continuously monitored byextracting a gas from at least one venting port formed in the housing atan interval and testing the gas composition of the gas after extraction.8. The method of claim 1, wherein the length of pipe further comprises aplurality of pipe segments and at least one pipe joint connectingadjacent pipe segments together in an end-to-end configuration, whereinthe space conduit continuously extends through the pipe segments and theat least one pipe joint.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein thetemperature is monitored using a plurality of temperature sensors.